Physical Characteristics of the Neonate

What are the physical characteristics of the Neonate ? Learn about the neonatal placenta and cardiovascular system. Understand the neonate's placenta and cardiovascular system, including the importance of fetal blood storage. Listed below are some examples of neonatal conditions. Know the underlying medical conditions that may affect neonates. This knowledge will help you treat your neonatal patient. Read on to learn more. The next part of this article will discuss fetal hemodynamics.

Physical characteristics of neonates

The examination of physical characteristics of neonates begins with a circumspect history. This history should be based on the neonatal health status and the nature of the mother's illness, including predisposition to certain disease states and gestational age. It should also include the maternal status, the duration of pregnancy, and the nature of labor and delivery. The examiner's understanding of the effects of the intrauterine experience, extrauterine adaptation, and environmental factors are critical to the assessment. Lastly, global assessment should take into account the relation of physical findings to time.

The physiological variation in pigmentation of term newborns has been demonstrated for different body sites and sex. However, these differences cannot be easily compared to the results of a sample of preterm infants. Skin pigmentation of extremely premature infants is very erythematous, and there is little or no pigmentation. This is because most of these newborns are in intensive neonatal care in incubators. The physical characteristics of neonates are used to determine neonatal care.

In addition to the skeletal and neurologic development of newborns, they differ in their head shape and size. A normal newborn is cylindrical, with a head circumference slightly larger than the chest circumference. An average head circumference is around 33 to 35 cm. The infant's sitting height is approximately the same as the head circumference. It is measured from the crown to the rump. And the newborn has a prominent forehead.

Cardiovascular system

The cardiovascular system of the neonate is characterized by a number of distinct functional differences from the adult and pediatric circulations. Because of the heterogeneity of this population and its varied gestational age, the cardiovascular system of the neonate undergoes significant alterations. This knowledge is essential for predicting the onset of hemodynamic instability and for providing appropriate therapeutic interventions. Detailed knowledge of the neonate's cardiovascular system is therefore essential.

In contrast to the adult heart, the neonate's cardiovascular system is characterized by a lack of preload reserve and dependence on heart rate. The heart must operate at or near maximum capacity to provide the requisite oxygen and nutrients for the neonate. The relative dominance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems changes as the neonate grows. During the perinatal period, the myocardium is underdeveloped, and is vulnerable to changes in fluid balance and anesthetic drugs. Traditional monitoring techniques have largely focused on heart rate, cardiac output, and organ well-being.

The fetal lung fluid is absorbed into the pulmonary capillaries, thereby providing better oxygenation than the placenta. A rise in arterial oxygen tension is the most potent stimulus for constriction of the ductus arteriosus, though the rise in endogenous prostaglandin levels and acidosis may also be significant stimuli. In addition, the rise in arterial oxygen tension promotes closure of the duct.

Placenta

The fetal and maternal tissues develop the placenta, which serves as an instrument for essential nutrient transfer. The placenta has been of considerable interest for researchers for many years, and its anthropometric features have important clinical implications. While the placenta is often disposed of after parturition, there are many potential pathological implications of placental lesions. These lesions often reflect the fetal or neonatal condition.

Pathological findings in the placenta are difficult to interpret, because there are several different types of pathology. Most pathologies are characterized by histological acute chorioamnionitis (HACA) or maternal vascular underperfusion (BPD). Some placental disorders are hereditary. In these cases, the placenta may be abnormally large, a sign of some health problems.

The presence of an artificial placenta could save the life of an extremely premature infant. In these cases, an artificial placenta could continue vital organ development outside the mother's womb. However, while this is a promising procedure, the risk of death and long-term disability remain high. This research has led to the formation of the Human Placenta Project, which will help detect abnormalities early in the development process.

In addition to providing nutrients and oxygen to the newborn, the placenta also helps the mother carry the baby's immunity. The placenta develops from an egg implanted in the uterus. It has 32 miles of capillaries and connects with the baby through the umbilical cord. When the placenta develops too deeply in the uterus, it can become detached too early. This condition is known as placental abruption.